Distraught Northern Quarter bar owner slams 'unfair' council decision as it faces 'huge struggle' to survive the summer

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A distraught bar owner is pleading with the council to let him move tables and chairs onto the street outside ahead of summer - in a bid to save his business as it continues to financially recover from the pandemic.

Braddan Quayle, 35, owns the Alvarium bar in Manchester's bustling Northern Quarter. During the pandemic, when indoor hospitality businesses were forced to shut, the Government granted councils the chance to swiftly pedestrianise roads outside so they could stay open and seat customers on the street.

However, those powers were revoked in October of last year - a sudden decision which Braddan says left him 'shocked'. This means hospitality venues, like Alvarium, hoping to continue seating their customers outside now need to apply for a Traffic Regulation Order - a process that can take 18 months or more.

This is far from welcome news, as Braddan's city centre bar continues to climb back onto its feet after a devastating two years. READ MORE: First Street and Home are bringing music, sport and culture to the city this summer However, competing nearby bars, such as those within Stevenson Square and Thomas Street, have an 'unfair advantage' - as they are able to continue serving customers on the road due to the pedestrianisation of the area and introduction of new cycle lanes.